Red Bull Salzburg vs AC Milan Predictions

• AC Milan beat local rivals Inter Milan 3-2 last time out, and are unbeaten in Serie A since January 17 (a run of 21 games).
• The Rossoneri last lost away from San Siro in November 2021 (at Fiorentina) – 15 games ago.
• Excluding preliminary rounds, Red Bull Salzburg have only won four of their last 22 games in major European competitions.

Rossoneri hopeful of Champions League improvement

While AC Milan enjoyed incredible success on the domestic front last campaign as Stefano Pioli’s men ended an 11-year wait for the Scudetto, their European form was disappointing. The Rossoneri, the second-most successful club in Europe’s premier club competition, managed just one victory in a dire Champions League group-stage campaign, and will be determined to put that right this term.

While Milan had flattered to deceive in the season’s early weeks, they hit top form in a deeply impressive 3-2 derby win over Inter on Saturday as Rafael Leao scored a terrific brace. Pioli’s men are now unbeaten in 21 league matches since mid-January, only losing a Coppa Italia tie to Inter in that time, and have been in equally excellent form on the road – Milan last lost away from San Siro 15 games ago, in November 2021 at Fiorentina.

But Red Bull Salzburg will be no pushovers after racing to five successive wins in the Austrian Bundesliga, scoring 14 goals in the process, and Matthias Jaissle’s men did make the Champions League’s knockout stages last term, suffering an 8-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich after doing so. While keeping the likes of Benjamin Sesko has raised expectations of the Austrians, they have won just four of their last 22 continental ties, excluding qualifiers, and face Milan as outsiders.

Milan have edge on Austrian trip

Although Salzburg went unbeaten through their four home matches in the Champions League proper last term, Milan’s excellent away form and scintillating display against Inter makes them deserved favourites for Tuesday’s encounter.

However, six of the hosts’ last seven European ties have seen goals scored at both ends, so they could land a blow as the Rossoneri claim a narrow 2-1 victory.